Bartenders Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $22,610 -32.6% vs national
Median hourly $10.87
10th percentile $18,310
90th percentile $44,570
Employed locally 410
National median $33,530

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Bartenders
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,310
    25th
    $20,680
    50th (median)
    $22,610
    75th
    $29,230
    90th
    $44,570

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Bartenders salary vs area income 32% Median Bartenders salary is 68% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bartenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $80,040
    Urban Honolulu, HI $70,300
    Hawaii $68,820
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $65,480
    New York $60,750
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $59,390

    Nearby metros — Bartenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $54,930
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $50,070
    Virginia $46,860
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $46,020
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $45,220
    Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA $37,730

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,890
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,660
    Cooks, Restaurant $36,310
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,290
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,330
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bartenders make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Bartenders in Ames, IA is $10.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.65 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Bartenders salaries?

    The median Bartenders salary in Ames, IA is 32.6% below the national median of $33,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bartenders in Ames?

    Entry-level Bartenders (10th percentile) earn around $18,310 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,680.